In a contentious turn of events, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Region Four Councillor Shanika Haynes defended her party’s decision to participate in internal elections for chairman and vice chairman, despite the process being deemed illegal due to the use of secret balloting. Haynes argued that even if APNU had boycotted, the elections would have proceeded regardless, given the quorum requirements. She emphasized that the party would explore legal avenues to challenge the outcome. The Regional Executive Officer, Donald Gajraj, insisted on secret balloting based on guidelines from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), overriding objections from APNU, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), and Forward Guyana Movement (FGM). Haynes criticized Gajraj for not allowing councillors to decide on the voting method, as stipulated by law. She also expressed suspicions about irregularities in the voting process, noting that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) secured the chairmanship with 18 votes despite having only 17 councillors. APNU, which holds 9 councillors, received 8 votes, with 7 blank and 2 spoilt ballots. The party also revealed that negotiations with WIN collapsed after WIN sought to exclude APNU from key leadership positions in multiple regional councils. APNU reaffirmed its commitment to independent leadership, vowing to ensure accountability and principled governance for its constituents.